Max and Vince

I got to hang out with these boys today.  Could they get any cuter!?

Tuesdays

I dislike Tuesdays.  Really.  They're just long and involve a lot of driving and chauffeuring and juggling children.  I always joke about needing a drink at the end of the day.  But I am always too hungry and tired to make that happen.

Today, I (after the whole morning routine which is enough to merit an alcoholic beverage):

1. dropped Georgia's and Murphy's lunch at their school because they forgot them when they walked;
2. took Millie and Charlie to Spanish;
3. headed (with my loyal companion Skippy) to the barn for some horse therapy.  Abby was really good and really fun.  And I always enjoy chatting with Jen.  We talked about my plan for barrel racing for the next year.  I should be good to go in the spring for races!  Beyond excited.
4. I raced to Marcell's gym, changed out of my spurs and worked out;
5. jammed up the hill to pick up Millie and Charlie from Spanish;
6. ran out to the valley to eat lunch with Trevor and Grandma Cheryl (and to let Skippy visit Mason);
7. dropped the dogs off back at the house and ran inside to get Murphy's change of clothes;
8. stopped at Hutton to get the big kids from school;
9. picked up James from Grandma Bonnie's house;
10. took Murphy to Alex's house so he could get a ride to breakdance class;
11. brought Georgia to gymnastics;
12. ran Charlie to Gonzaga preschool with Millie and James (only to find out she is the only one who showed up and there no class....so back to gymnastics);
13. played with Millie, James and Charlie at gymnastics until Millie and James' class started;
14. talked with a nice mom;
15. drove James to meet his family at dinner - love that kid...and his family :)
16. made a quick dinner - fed the kids, dogs, and chickens;
17. did the nighttime routine: tubbies, hair, teeth, fluoride pills (distributed by Charlie of course);
18. Trevor reads books to Millie and Murphy and I read to Charlie (Georgia reads her books in the room while I read to Charlie);
19. lights out for kids = folding laundry in my bed while watching lots and lots of DVRed shows.  Chicago Fire, Nashville, Modern Family, Parenthood, Duck Dynasty, Go On, Happy Endings, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon......My problem lately has been my complete lack of desire to fold laundry.  It always is my quiet time thing to do.  Mindlessly fold and watch shows.  I can't bring myself to muster up the energy to do it.  So I bribe Trevor.  He got out of going to a gymnastics birthday party over the weekend under one condition: he would fold AND put away all laundry.  I'll make trades like that any day!  I do not really look forward to Tuesdays.  At the end of the day I'm exhausted.  It's one of the most fun days for the kids, so I go with it.

I need a cocktail.

It's been a while...

 This girl is way too much fun lately.  She's been a really good girl.  Hope it lasts. :)

 Murphy is crazy.  Just plain crazy.  And the sweetest boy I've ever met.  Kind soul.

 Charlie likes to bite the wrappers off crayons.

 Skip is a great puppy.  Love him to death.  And I smoosh his face with kisses and tell him that daily.

 Keeps me laughing.

 Ginny.  Thanks for breakfast. :)

Skippy guards to coop.  And occasionally nips chicken bums.

I've taken far too long off from this blog.  It is my intention to be better.  At least once a week.  Here goes.

Also - I am now signed up for a photography class beginning in January. Expect lots of trial and error pictures.

Weekend Getaway

Trevor and I went on a weekend getaway to Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop, WA this weekend.  Our very first trip alone.  No kids.  The kids (and Harley and the chickens) were very well taken care of by Sara.  Mason spent the weekend at the lake with Grandma Cheryl and Tom.

good thing we haven't matured...

senior picture

checking out Grand Coulee Dam

apple crates

one of my all time favorite things: driving by rows of trees/vineyards

inspiration for what we want our barn to look like

good to know Trevor can live/work in Twisp

beautiful lodge

senior picture

self timer 1

self timer 2

self timer 3

self timer 4

love

happy

headed out for our 2 hour hike

going on a bear hunt

self timer

I was beyond happy to come across these guys:

post-hike, pre-massage

I can't even begin to describe how much fun we had.  We took off early Saturday morning, hit Northern Quest Casino for a little gambling ($185 up!!) and breakfast, then headed to Grand Coulee Dam and lastly Sun Mountain Lodge.  We ate lunch, rented mountain bikes, took a (painful) ride, showered for a nice dinner, had great Mexican food in town, and wrapped up the night with a very tired game of cribbage.  I slept for over ten hours without moving a muscle.  Glorious.  We woke up, had a Balance Bar and a cup of coffee, hit the trail for a two hour hike, and came back in perfect time for a (diet Coke and) our massages.  Then we showered and took off in the direction of home.  We stopped in Twisp for a really great lunch at the brewery, and made it home to see our sweet kids.  Ahhh what an amazing weekend.  It is sure to be repeated!  Oh how I love us.  Never been happier, stronger, more confident, and more in love.  :)